The Yankees would like to add a righthanded-hitting outfielder who is decent defensively and have had discussions with the agent for Andruw Jones, according to a source.

Jones has a career OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .863 against lefties. According to a official with knowledge of the conversations, the Yanks have discussed Jones with his agent, Scott Boras. SI.com first reported the Yankees’ interest in Jones.

The Yanks would like to use Jones in the outfield at times to spell Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner against lefties. Jones, 33, batted .230 with 19 home runs and 48 RBI in 107 games last season for the White Sox.

From 1996 through 2006, Jones looked like a future Hall of Famer. And, then, at age 30, his career hit the skids. (I guess we should remember this before we punch Robinson Cano’s ticket for Cooperstown too soon, huh?) So, what happened?

Well, Jones was never a choir boy. And, my guess is that he got lazy and fat. In a way, he’s sort of Ruben Sierra – with a much, much, better glove. (Granted, Big Rube was 27-years old when his career as a “star” tanked and not thirty, like Jones.) But…hey…in the end, Sierra rebounded to become a useful part-time bench player. Therefore, why can’t Jones?

I have no issue, at this time, with the Yankees picking up Andruw – as long as it’s just a one-year deal that can be dumped, if needed. And, nothing like the one Cashman gave Nick Johnson last year. It has to be at a price lower than that one.

@ Raf:
I wonder. Jones is coming off a productive season. I hope it doesn’t, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets $3-4M for one year. That seems to be the recent trend for veterans making the rounds (Huff/Thome last year…).